Kelli
Based solely on the way she could feel Isaiah staring at her, Kelli already knew he was going to challenge this. His first comment confirmed it.
“Right now is the worst time for you to leave this house, let alone leave town.”
Finally, she grudgingly turned to face him. “No one knows I’m here, Isaiah. What difference does it make if I’m in this town or in another one just an hour away?”
As expected, the exasperation on his face was as intense as all his other expressions. “Two people are dead. These people who might be searching for you are clearly out for blood. You’ve been staying in touch with two guys you say you’re real close to. You don’t think someone could’ve tracked you down by tapping into their calls?”
“No one knows I even know them.” She poured herself more coffee. “Not even my dad or brothers.”
“Where is it you have to go that can’t wait at least a few days until we find out what your dad wants to do next?”
“I’m done waiting to live my life until he gives me the go-ahead.” Kelli continued quickly when she saw his expression go even more severe. “I mean, yeah, for now because this is still going on, I’ll be careful and keep using the fake identity he set me up with, but I’m not living like a prisoner forever, Isaiah. I’ll be fine taking a trip just an hour away. It won’t be the first time I’ve done it since I’ve been here, and no one’s figured it out yet.”
His brows furrowed now. “Where is it you need to be, Kel?”
“I’m visiting my friend. I was planning on going tomorrow anyway. I’ll just be leaving a day early now; that’s all. Gordo wouldn’t have been able to stop me either.”
That last statement was made perfectly clear, in case he even thought he had the authority to cancel her trip. She already hated that he’d likely insist on accompanying her, and she was glad she’d taken the phone call from Matt outside. At least she wouldn’t have to tell Isaiah the whole truth about Matt. It was bad enough that Isaiah was already involved in her mess. The fewer people she got sucked into this, the better. The timing just couldn’t be worse for all this to be happening now.
“You’re willing to risk your life to visit a friend?”
“Oh, don’t be so melodramatic about it.” She sat back down at the table with him. “I’ve been here for months, and so far the only scares I’ve had were when Gordo showed up and broke my door down and you nearly blowing it for me in front of the whole town yesterday. I’ll be fine. I’ll call you to check in as soon as I get there—”
“You’re not going anywhere alone.” He dropped his napkin on his plate, not even attempting to hide his utter annoyance with her, and sat back in his chair. “I can’t believe you’re willing to take this risk. If it were up to me, I’d lock you up here—”
“Well, it’s not up to you now, is it?” she said, resenting his lethal tone.
Two days ago he wanted nothing to do with her. Yesterday he claimed her as his fiancée at the crowded farmers’ market. Then he practically made love to her mouth. Today he admitted he doesn’t trust himself not to do that again and he was still going to ignore her confession? So just because her dad was paying him to keep an eye on her he thought he could boss her around?
“This was already planned before you were ever hired on.” She added berries and whipped cream to her waffle, trying to ignore the way he was glaring at her. “If you’re planning on doing everything with me on this trip, then, unless you packed with attending a semi-formal event in mind, I suggest you buy or rent yourself a suit. I’m visiting Matt because he recently received a prestigious award at his job. The company is throwing a big shindig for the award recipients and their families and friends tomorrow night. It’s cocktail attire.”
Kelli hadn’t missed the way he’d begun to peer at her at the mention of her friend again. He didn’t seem to understand why it was so important she be there for Matt. No doubt he was already thinking it was stupid to leave town for a shindig, given everything that was going on. But before he could comment, he got a call.
Still peering at her, he glanced down at the phone he’d pulled from his holster then tapped the screen and brought it to his ear. “Moe, hold on.” He stood up and glanced up at Kelli again. “Where does this friend of yours live?”
“In Lake Dempsey.” The moment she said it she regretted giving up that information, since he was on the phone with his cousin, who’d likely be passing on that information to her father. So she added, “It’s a small town about an hour from here, no bigger than this one and just as obscure and tucked away in the middle of nowhere.”
She’d keep the rest of the details about this trip to herself until they were on the road. He nodded, but his expression said it all. Small town or not, he still didn’t think this was a good idea. Doing the same thing Kelli had done with her call, he exited the back door.
Kelli had just finished clearing up the kitchen when Isaiah came through the back door. “Expect a call from your dad soon,” he informed her. “I had no choice but to tell Moe about this trip of yours. He says your dad’s not gonna be happy about it. What time were you planning on leaving?”
“I’d already packed a few days ago. I just need to add a few things since I’ll be there a day earlier. But I’d like to leave as soon as I’m ready.”
Just then her phone rang, and they both turned to it on the table. “Probably your dad,” Isaiah said as she walked toward the table. “Maybe he can talk some sense into you.”
She frowned when she saw who it was, but at least it wasn’t her dad. “Not my dad,” she said, sending it to voicemail.
“Are you sure?” he asked suspiciously. “You should talk to him before you do this.”
“I will, but that wasn’t him. It was Gilbert, only I don’t have time to talk to him right now. I need to go get ready.”
Isaiah muttered something as he started to his room, but she didn’t quite catch it: something about juggling boyfriends. “What was that?” she asked, torn between whether she should feel amused about his sounding jealous or appalled at the “juggling boyfriends” comment.
“Nothing.” He didn’t bother to turn and look at her. “My stuff’s already packed, but I’ll start getting it in the car. Answer your phone if your dad calls.”
Kelli rolled her eyes, refusing to respond to that. She wasn’t about to start taking orders from this man. Despite what he might be thinking, her conscience was clear. After all the years she’d managed to keep the truth about her and Matt from everyone, she wasn’t about to let the cat out of the bag now—not when it was the most dangerous time to do so.
Her phone rang just as she set her bag down by her bedroom door. It wasn’t Gilbert again, but seeing who it was had her frowning sadly. She hit the answer button immediately and brought the phone to her ear.
“Dad, I’m so sorry. I hadn’t called you because I wasn’t sure I should. So I thought it best to wait. How are you doing?”
“As good as I can be, I guess.” His hoarse voice was nowhere near as authoritative and commanding as usual. “I guess I’m still in shock. I can’t believe they’re gone.”
Hearing his voice go nearly inaudible at the end made her feel terrible that she wasn’t nearly as broken up as he was. It was hard to be. She’d never even met the uncle that had been killed, and she’d been nowhere near as close to her brother as most siblings would be. It still felt a little weird referring to them as her brothers, actually. Under the circumstances, she wasn’t even sure she’d be attending the services.
“Listen. What is this about you leaving town today of all days—?”
“It’s not very far,” she said quickly. “And Isaiah will be with me the whole time. I’ll get a suite so we can stay in the same room, but I have to be there, Dad. This was something I promised my friend I’d do a long time ago. I can’t get out of it. Uh . . . she lives in a town no bigger than this one, and we’re taking Isaiah’s rental, so I’ll be even less traceable on the off chance someone might’ve figured out where I am and what I’m driving. I’ll be fine.” He started to protest, but she interrupted him. “I’m quitting my job.” She hoped that might make him a little more agreeable.
He exhaled and, to her surprise, said, “okay,” then added, “I was thinking maybe it was time we moved you somewhere else anyway, just to be on the safe side. This has gotten out of control now.”
Not wanting to start another argument, she agreed. “I’ll start researching other small towns like this one. So far I’ve felt very safe here. I think it’s best we keep to places like this one.”
For now, she’d keep to herself that she wouldn’t be doing this for too much longer, but because of her need to stay close to Matt, it was actually convenient that she just go along with this at least for a little longer.
Her father let her in on what he knew so far. He and her other brothers weren’t in hiding the way Isaiah had first made it sound. But they were heavily guarded, lying low, and not going out into open areas where they might be targeted. Some of the men who’d ambushed her brother and uncle had actually been caught. Then he let her in on something even more significant.
“Ray and Rick are taking over the remaining business here in San Diego.” His words were as serious as they were somber. “The part without all the risk and danger. I’m retiring and moving to Florida. We’re still negotiating with the other partners about their share of the payout, but it’s looking like we may reach an agreement before anyone else gets hurt. They don’t want any retaliation, and I’m too old and tired of all this shit. This should all be over in the next couple of months—maybe sooner—and you can come home. I’ll keep you posted.”
It was the best news she’d heard in months, and she exhaled in relief. “I’m glad to hear it, Dad. I’m sorry it came to this. So sorry about Ron and Uncle Seth, but I’m glad it’s almost over. Mostly I’m glad you’re retiring from it all.”
She left out that she was also glad Ray, Rick, and their families were finally going to live a straight and narrow life without all the danger. It really was sad that one of them had to die for this to finally happen, but if she had to be honest, she was surprised they’d gone this long without one of them being killed if not all of them. Her mother had shared horror stories. Isaiah had been right when he asked if they were in the Mafia. Even though Dad had always argued that he wasn’t, they all knew the truth.
~~~
“Can you explain how you’re so close to these guys that you trust them with your life, yet no one, not even your father or brothers, knows about them?”
Considering how, once they’d gotten on the road, Isaiah had gone back to being an icy cold mute, it surprised Kelli that he’d suddenly ask something so personal. He’d been staring straight ahead for the past forty minutes or so, barely responding to any of the small talk she’d tried to make, so she’d resorted to just reading on her tablet and trying to ignore his overwhelming presence.
“I told you.”
Kelli didn’t bother to glance up from her tablet, feeling a little guilty that the corners of her lips were already tugging. She had a feeling he was holding back from asking more about her friends, and she wasn’t about to give him that information so easily. She’d already told him she respected his wishes about not wanting more with her. She had every intention of keeping her promise to not push for more. So continuing to be an icy jerk to her was unwarranted. If he wanted to be social only about the subjects he was interested in, then she’d make him work for it. “I’ve never been close to my brothers at all, and my dad doesn’t know any of my friends.”
It was all she’d offer. If he wanted more, he’d have to pry. She could almost feel the tension spread through the car as she continued to pretend to read and not say more.
“Do they both live out here?”
“Yes, they do.”
Isaiah straightened in his seat, clearing his throat when she didn’t go on, and for a second, she thought he might drop it. Then he went on, sounding even more irritated.
“So how did you get that close to them if they live way out here?” She could see through the corner of her eye he was peering at her now. “Please tell me you didn’t meet these guys online?”
Only because she could tell she was really trying his patience now, she finally set the tablet down and glanced up at him. “I’ve known Matt since I was thirteen. He used to live in the San Diego area. Then he and his mom moved back to her home town when I was in high school, but we stayed in touch. Gilbert is his cousin turned best friend when he moved to New Mexico. I chose the small town I’m living in now so I’d be close to visit them.”
Her more elaborate answer didn’t seem to satisfy him. In fact, he appeared even more irritated now, but he didn’t say anything right away.
After a few more minutes of tense silence, he spoke up again. “And you’re really that close to these guys even though they live so far from La Jolla?”
Kelli expected the confusion, but she had to wonder how many times he’d rolled his eyes since he’d begun to ask her about Matt and Gilbert. She hadn’t been watching him earlier, but she was now, and she didn’t miss the quick roll of his eye as he asked that last question.
“I am,” she said, beginning to resent his attitude about this. “We took turns every summer after he moved. I’d either come out here and stay with him and his mom for a couple of weeks, or he’d stay with me and my mom. The first summer he came out, he brought Gilbert with him. It’s how I got close to him too.”
Realizing she was saying too much now, she settled back in her seat and brought her attention back to her tablet. It was one thing to have fun giving him the same cold, curt answers he’d given her the whole beginning of the ride. But she didn’t like the way it almost felt as if he were belittling her. The disgust in his voice when he’d asked her about the possibility of her having met Matt and Gilbert online hadn’t been missed.
She got that he couldn’t understand why she had to take the risk of leaving the house on such an ill-timed day. But he didn’t have to lay on so thick how stupid he thought she was being. His being so blatant about that took from the amusement of giving him a taste of his own medicine.
“So he’s an ex-boyfriend?”
The icy edge in his tone had her glancing up at him. She’d seen that jaw work yesterday when she’d begun to notice his irritation with all the overly friendly men that greeted her in town then again on their drive home when he’d calmed a bit from the brawl he’d nearly been in. She’d seen it every time she’d been around him back home when she’d tagged along with Nathan just to get a chance to explain herself.
It was just one of the things about him that intrigued her so. She’d witnessed it from the very beginning. Kelli had never met someone whose personality could swing in such extreme conflicting directions. Just that morning she’d been witness once again to his tender side, the sweetness he was capable of bestowing on her.
He’d begun the car ride with his cold indifferent side, but this didn’t feel cold or indifferent anymore. He was now showing his explosive side, the side she’d seen yesterday. She had to be careful. As bittersweet as it was that he might be jealous—that the thought of them spending the next few days around her ex already had his jaw working—she didn’t want to overdo it. The last thing she wanted was for him to explode on Matt the way he had yesterday with the guy at the farmers’ market.
“No, we’ve just always been close friends.” Again with the eye roll. “We have!”
Isaiah turned to her with an unimpressed expression. “You took turns coming out to see this guy every summer and nothing ever happened?”
“Nothing.”
It was ironic that she might actually have to argue something she’d never believed in either—that guys and girls could be friends without feelings ever getting in the way and ruining things or at the very least make things weird so things would never be the same again. Gilbert was proof of that. Despite the reasons, it was the truth for her and Matt. She really wasn’t lying about nothing ever having happened between them. At least she could argue that point with a straight face.
“So why exactly is it so damn important that you take the risk of being out and about, on a day you should be hiding deeper than ever, just to come see this guy?”
“Because I’m very proud of him for this achievement and—”
He groaned, shaking his head before she could finish. “Never mind. I’ve heard enough.”
“Fine,” she said, turning back to her tablet. “Believe what you want.”
He didn’t say or ask anything again for another few minutes until he said, “Sign says next two exits are Lake Dempsey. Which one are we getting off on?”
Kelli squeezed her eyes shut, not looking up from her tablet when she answered. “We’re not. Keep going to Santa Fe.”
“What? You said Lake Dempsey—”
“Is where he lives,” she finished for him, bracing herself as she glanced up at him. “The award shindig is in Santa Fe, where he works. They’re already there because they’re making a weekend of it, so I told them I’d just meet them there.”
“Who’s they?” he asked, his tone even more severe now.
“Matt and Gilbert.” She attempted a smile, even as his glare practically burned a hole through her. “Besides, you’re gonna need to rent a suit or something. Lake Dempsey is actually a little smaller than DVA.”
As she’d hoped, the confusion distracted him from his annoyance. “What’s DVA?”
“Deep Valley Acres,” she said simply. “It’s what we natives call our little town for short.”
She saw the eye roll again, only this time it wasn’t nearly as hard as all the other times. It could almost pass for amused, and she thought she saw the corner of his lip tug, so she continued, hopeful that he’d get over this little surprise about their trip. “So if DVA doesn’t have fancy clothing stores, Lake Dempsey certainly wouldn’t. We can get you something in Santa Fe. Ever been?”
He nodded, the hardened expression returning as if it just came back to him that she’d pulled a fast one on him. “The other day when I flew in.”
“Is that the only time ever?” She straightened out, a bit excited. “I’ve been there a lot because of Matt. It’s breathtaking. I can take you around and show you the sights. There’re some really beautiful . . .” She stopped when he turned to her with a glare so murderous even his gorgeous thick lashes didn’t soften it. “What?”
“Do you understand the concept of lying low? Hiding out?”
“Yeah, but—”
“And, no, it’s not the only time I’ve been there.” He turned his attention back to the road, allowing Kelli a breather from that unrelenting glare. “I’ve been there a few other times, and I know it’s one of the largest and most touristy cities in New Mexico. It was bad enough you insisted on being out in the open today of all days, even if it was just some little hick town in the middle of nowhere. Now you want to stroll the streets of Santa Fe? Why don’t you just check in on Facebook so everyone can see where you’re staying tonight?”
“Okay, okay!” She felt like a scolded child. “I didn’t mean we’d stroll around. We’ll have to drive through the city to get to the hotel and then get your suit. I just thought maybe we could drive through some of the prettier areas.”
“I’m driving you straight to the hotel, where you’ll stay put until I get back from getting my suit. We’ll do whatever it is you’re here to do as discreetly as possible, and then we’re leaving as soon as we’re done.”
He muttered something else under his breath, but it was too low and the truck alongside them was so loud she didn’t hear it. “Look. I understand you’re just trying to do your job. But I never asked my dad to hire you or anyone else to watch over me. I’m a grown woman, Isaiah. I hate being treated like a child. Do you want to know the only reason I even went along with moving away and hiding in the first place?”
He turned to her, his expression still as annoyed as when he’d scolded her—as annoyed as she was beginning to feel.
“Because of you.” As expected, his eyebrows pinched together in disbelief, and she scoffed humorlessly, shaking her head. “How do you like that for irony? I was still fighting it even after someone broke into my apartment and roughed me up. Fortunately for me, my brothers got there just in time, and the guy jumped out my window.
Isaiah turned to her again, his expression as severe as ever. “Roughed up? What do you mean? What did he do to you?”
Kelli let out a frustrated breath and turned to stare out the window. Of course, this would be the only part he’d comment on. “He slapped me around a little, forced me into my bedroom, but he never actually said anything that would confirm he was there because of my father’s dealings. I fought back and ended up getting knocked out when he pistol-whipped me. My point is, because they didn’t catch him and we couldn’t know for sure if it had anything to do with my father's issues, I was still holding out on leaving my salons in the hands of my managers. But when I couldn’t rule out that your accident was actually just that—an accident—I couldn’t take the chance anymore. It was one thing for me to take a risk staying. I couldn’t put you at risk too.”
“So I agreed to a free vacation on my daddy so that I could leave town for a while. I figured it might help me get over the fact that I’d fallen hopelessly in love with a man I barely knew and who wanted nothing to do with me. Then of all people in the world that could’ve been sent to watch me, it was you!”
They both fell silent, and she wondered now if, like Isaiah, she, too, didn’t have an issue with just reacting, if she, too, should stop to think before spilling her guts like this. But mostly she was wondering now if he was going to ignore this too, the way he’d ignored the fact that she’d blown him off to protect him and that even months after she’d left town she’d held out hope she’d hear from him.